2009 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,547 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 36 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionSep 16, 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
Campaign 09V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, doorJan 9, 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
Campaign 09V006000 on NHTSA.gov
WheelsSep 15, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.
IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 08V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,547 reports, newest first.
Structure, Equipment, Feb 1, 2011
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH JUST OVER 13000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 65 MPH I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST OVER MY HEAD. THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (MORE LIKE EXPLODED) LEAVING ABOUT A 2 FOOT CIRCULAR HOLE IN THE GLASS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HIT ME BUT WHEN I PULLED OVER I COULD OBVIOUSLY SEE THAT THE GLASS WAS MUSHROOMED OUT AS IF IT HAD EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, NOT PUSHED IN. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY NISSAN DEALER AND THEY AGREED THAT THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING HAD HIT THE GLASS AND THAT IT HAD SIMPLY SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THEY ALSO POINTED OUT CHIPS IN THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK LID CAUSED BY THE PIECES OF BROKEN GLASS. AFTER FIRST DENYING ANY COVERAGE, NISSAN NOW HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR THE NEW GLASS AS A "GOODWILL REPAIR" BUT THEY STILL REFUSE TO PAY FOR INSTALLATION OR THE PAINT DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE INSTALLATION AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS COVERING THE $2500 OF PAINT DAMAGE. I DID CONTACT NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO APPEAL THEIR DECISION BUT WAS VERY CURTLY DENIED AGAIN. *LN
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2011
INTELLIGENT KEY WANING LIGHT WOULD FLASH INFREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THIS WARNING WARNS OF BCM FAILURE AND THE END RESULT IS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START LEAVING THE DRIVER STRANDED AT ANY PLACE AND TIME. REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED YET, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT BCM REPLACEMENT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 10, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,023 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND EXHIBIT TROUBLE MOVING FORWARD. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A FAILURE WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED (CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL THE DIAGNOSIS); AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DURING THE FAILURE, THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATED AND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IPDM FAILED; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 21,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 03/08/11*JB
Air bags, Dec 10, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,877.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2010
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S - PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT COMES ON WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ANY SITUATION. THE PASSENGER MEETS AND PASSES THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENT AND IS SEATED CORRECTLY. WE CAN NOT PRODUCE THIS ISSUE ON DEMAND. ENVIRONMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER. SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE PASSENGER DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER EITHER. DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BOTTOM 6 OR SO MONTHS AGO. DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. MY WIFE AND I WERE BLAMED CONTINUALLY FOR MONTHS (10 OR SO) AS BEING THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. I DOCUMENTED WITH VIDEO AND THEY STILL SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT. ONE DAY WE ALMOST GOT HIT AND I THE NISSAN DEALER I WOULD HOLD THEM LIABLE. THAT DAY THE DISABLED LIGHT REMAINED ON AND WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW THE DEALER. AFTER THAT AN ENGINEER GAME IN TO CHECK THE CAR. THEY SAID THE SYSTEM WORKS ARE IT SHOULD, WE WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A FAULT. THAT ENGINEER SUBMITTED THE ISSUE UP THE CHAIN TO THE ALTIMA ENGINEERS IN THE USA. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS NOW AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MADE. NISSAN HAS TOLD ME THEY ARE RE-ENGINEERING THE SEAT BOTTOM AND A REPLACEMENT PART WILL BE PRODUCED. IT WILL TAKE TIME THEY SAY. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM THE FIRST MONTH WE OWNED THIS CAR BACK IN SEP/OCT 2009. *TR
Air bags, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2010
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL GO OFF AND ON WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND BOTH TIMES THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. (IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS - EVERY TIME A PASSENGER IS IN MY VEHICLE) MY RESEARCH INDICATES THE 2007/2008 COUPES WERE RECALLED FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE SAME ISSUE (08V521000). I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN THE CRASH OR SOMEONE ELSE TO DIE IN A CRASH BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE. HELP! *TR UPDATED IVOQ 05/25/11
Air bags, Oct 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE SIDE AIR BAG ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BOTTOM AND SENSOR REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT SHE DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG AND SHE WAS SEATED IMPROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WEIGHS 140 POUNDS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT FEARS THAT IF SHE WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,982.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2010
PASSENGER AIRBAG (DISABLED) LIGHT TURNS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED (OVER 150 POUNDS). *TR
Air bags, Sep 28, 2010
PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT EXPOSING THE PASSENGER TO THE POSSIBILITY OF NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A COLLISION. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS HE CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ADVISED HIM THAT I HAVE VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM AND HE WON'T LOOK AT IT. ON 7/28/2010 I NOTIFIED NISSAN, CERT. MAIL RETURN RECEIPT AND GOTTEN AN CASE NUMBER [XXX]. THE AUTO HAS 11,200 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED TO NISSAN 7/28/2010. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Wheels, Sep 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH HE BEGAN TO FEEL VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE WHEEL MOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR WHENEVER HE WOULD DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND THE WHEEL RACKS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Power train, Aug 16, 2010
HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT FOR A YEAR NOW. CAR KEEPS ON JERKING AND STALLING AND WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE WAITING AT A STOP SIGN. LAST INCIDENT WAS AUG 15,2010. I WAS WAITING AT A STOP SIGNAL ON A HILL AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME, THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACK. I HAD TO HURRY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. EVERYTIME I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT'S WRONG OR THEY WILL TELL ME NOTHINGS WRONG. THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Aug 3, 2010, crash
ON JULY 27,2010 MY VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A CORNER AND TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. A TRUCK WAS APPROACHING PERPENDICULAR HEADING NORTH. I MOTIONED FOR THE TRUCK TO TAKE THE RIGHT OF WAY BEFORE MAKING MY TURN. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RESULTING IN THE TRUCK HITTING MY VEHICLE IN THE LEFT FRONT SIDE, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE BODY SHOP. NISSAN NA HAS BEEN CONTACTED , AND PLANNING TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM CONCERNING THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS. INSURANCE IS ESTIMATING BODY DAMAGE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RUBBER PADDING HAD FRACTURED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/17/10 THE CONSUMER STATED THE RUBBER BRAKE PAD FELL OFF AGAIN AS HE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. UPDATED 12/03/10*JB
Air bags, May 2, 2010
I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE PASSENGER RIDES, THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURNS ON, THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED. I WENT TO THE DEALER, MOSSY NISSAN IN OCEANSIDE, AND THE CONCLUSION IS THAT ALL NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM -- THIS MODEL CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED SO THAT SENSITIVE ENOUGH SENSORS ARE INSTALLED TO PROTECT PASSENGERS - THE FEMALE ADULT PASSENGER IS 110 LBS AND NOT PROTECTED, THAT'S A RISK NISSAN CORPORATION DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT. *TR
Tires, Mar 25, 2010, crash
MY 2009 NISSIAN ALTIMA DROVE GREAT UNLESS IT WAS RAINING. WHEN THERE WAS JUST A SLIGHT DRIZZLE MY ALTIMA WOULD HYDROPLAIN UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 IN TENNESSEE AND IT STARTED TO RAIN. MY ALTIMA STARTED HYDROPLAINING REALLY BAD. I WAS DRIVING AT MOST 40 MILES AN HOUR IN A 70 MPH ZONE. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS REALLY WRONG WITH THE REAR PART OF THE CAR. THE WATER FROM THE ROAD COMPLETELY LIFTED THE REAR END OF THE CAR OFF THE GROUND. I BELIEVE IT WAS THE TIRES THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES SIZE 215/60/R16. IT WAS SO BAD I PULLED OVER AT A REST AREA FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I START MY TRIP AGAIN. THE CAR WAS FINE UNTIL IT STARTED MISTING RAIN AGAIN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE CAR HYDROPLAINED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. I ENDED UP IN THE DITCH WITH A TOTALLED CAR. WHILE I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR A WOMAN WITH THE EXACT CAR EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR DID THE EXACT SAME THING, BUT HER CAR CAME A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE CHECKES SEVERAL NISSIAN LOTS AND NOT MANY OF THERE CARS COME OUT WITH THESE PARTICULAR TIRES. I MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE NISSIAN COMPANY, WHICH INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG THE CAR. I AM WORRIED THAT PEOPLE ARE AT RISK OF BEING HURT DRIVING THESE CARS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR DRIVE LIKE THIS BEFORE.
Air bags, Mar 20, 2010
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 SOMETIME AROUND OCTOBER 2009. WE IMMEDIATELY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE "AIRBAG TURNED OFF " LIGHT COMING ON EVEN THOUGH I WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT CORRECTLY AND I WEIGH AROUND 135 POUNDS WHICH IS MORE THAN ENOUGH WEIGHT TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT DIDN'T TURN ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD VIDEO ON MY CELL PHONE SHOWING THE PROBLEM OCCURRING, I WAS ASKED TO GO ON A RIDE AROUND TO SEE IF THE SITUATION WOULD REPEAT ITSELF. BECAUSE THE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, AND REPEATEDLY, DURING THAT 10 MINUTE RIDE IT DID NOT TURN ON. NEEDLESS TO SAY, AFTER MUCH INSISTING, NISSAN WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE SENSOR ON THE SEAT. THIS RESULTED IN NO CHANGE TO THE PROBLEM AND I RIDE HALF THE TIME WITH THE "AIRBAG TURNED OFF" LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I EVER GET INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL FAIL TO DEPLOY AND IT WILL RESULT IN MY HAVING A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO NISSAN SINCE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED MAINLY BECAUSE ON THE INITIAL CONTACT OF THE PROBLEM, THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BELIEVE ME EVEN THOUGH I HAD VIDEO PROOF. I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED JUST IN CASE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2010, crash
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL OF MY 09 ALTIMA 2.5S SEDAN IS PRESSED, THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AS IT SHOULD AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATES UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED HARDER WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALWAYS AND THE AMOUNT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION VARIES FROM TIME TO TIME. TODAY AROUND 12:30PM, I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY PRESSING THE BRAKES AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. THE POLICE ARRIVED, LISTENED TO WHAT HAPPENED, AND REPORTED THE ACCIDENT AS MY FAULT. WHEN I TOLD HER (OFFICER DICK) ABOUT THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION, SHE MADE FUN OF ME SAYING -- "ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL OFF A TOYOTA HERE?" I FIND THE BRAKES OF MY CAR VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR TODAY'S CRASH. HOPE NHTSA WILL TAKE THIS REPORT SERIOUSLY AND DO THE NEEDFUL. *TR
Structure, Mar 16, 2010
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT ANY TIME THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR LEVER WAS ENGAGED IN AN UPWARD POSITION TO ACTIVATE, THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATION OCCURRED. THE TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR LEVER INCLUDES THE FUNCTION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHILCE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,000. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN UPDATED 06/04/10
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
BOUGHT CAR NEW IN 2009. IT HAS SURGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL THREE TIMES AT SLOW OR PARKING SPEED SINCE I HAD IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
BOUGHT CAR NEW IN 2009. IT HAS SURGED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL THREE TIMES AT SLOW OR PARKING SINCE I HAD IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 22, 2010
BRAKES FAILED AT 7500 MILES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 47MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL 4 ROTORS WARPED AND ALL 4 BRAKES DEFECTIVE. ALL WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 2 DAYS AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRS, A VERY LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON ANOTHER FREEWAY AND BRAKES FAILED ONCE AGAIN AT 50 MPH. ANOTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS A "BRAKE ROTOR RUN-OUT EXCESSIVE MEASURE" AND RESURFACED ROTORS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Feb 22, 2010
AT REGULAR DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED AT 7500 MILES (WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 47 MPH ON THE 5 FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND). TUSTIN NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL 4 ROTORS WARPED AND BRAKES DEFECTIVE. REPLACED ALL ROTORS AND ALL BRAKES. ALSO DEFECTIVE: DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR (REPLACED AT 8000 MILES), PAINT TRIM PEELING (UPON NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 8, 2010
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S CVT.....SUDDEN EXCELLERATION.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 31, 2010, crash
IN A RENTED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, LIGHTLY TAPPED A TREE ON THE SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THEN CAME TO A FULL STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO REALIGN IT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY CRASHING THROUGH THE CLOSING GARAGE DOOR AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF THE WALL OF THE HOUSE. THE CAR ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE EDGE OF THE STAIR LEADING INTO THE HOUSE. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN RIB. ALL OF THE RECENT PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA MADE ME BELIEVE EVEN MORE THAT THIS WAS AN UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. HERTZ EXAMINED THE CAR BUT CLAIMED NOTHING WAS DEFECTIVE. MY CAR INSURANCE PREMIUM HAS RISEN AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT (MY FIRST EVER) AND I WORRY ABOUT OTHERS DRIVING THIS MODEL. THIS TOOK PLACE IN PLYMOUTH, MA. THIS WAS A HARROWING ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE ENDED WITH FAR MORE DESTRUCTION AND SERIOUS INJURY. I DON'T KNOW IF NISSAN HAS HAD OTHER REPORTS LIKE THIS ONE, BUT I FELT IT IMPORTANT TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT. *TR